Sunday, September 4, 2011

Bucs Go Down 6-3

Could the Bucs actually sweep somebody? Well, hey, let's not get crazy.

The score may have been 6-3 Cubs, but the Bucs played another game where they couldn't do any of the little, professional things right. A thrown away DP ball; fours steals against (two didn't even draw a throw, and the two that did weren't close enough to merit a tag), nine walks, no one covering first on a bunt, a runner scoring from second on an infield single, a starting pitcher that couldn't get through the fifth, loading the bases with no outs and not scoring, eight more strikeouts...*sigh* It's enough to drive a Sunday School teacher to drink.

The Bucs scored in the first when Alex Presley singled, stole second, and scored on Derrek Lee's two-out knock. Then they were goosed egged until the eighth, when Neil Walker drilled his twelfth homer with Lee aboard. The Cubs scored by plating runs in five different innings against three pitchers. They didn't have any extra base hits; the walks and miscues were plenty enough to prime the pump. Chicago still stranded 13 runners, keeping the score respectable.

The Pirates are home tomorrow for Labor Day against the Astros. Henry Sosa takes on James McDonald.

Altoona announced their 2011 team awards: MVP - Starling Marte, Pitcher of Year - Kyle McPherson, Fireman of Year - Bryan Morris, Unsung Hero - Mike Colla, Iron Man & Teammate of the Year - Brock Holt. Even nicer, Marte was also named the Eastern League Rookie of the Year, the first Curve player ever to win that honor.

2 comments:

Sloppy game today, but Alex Presley continues to rake. And the Cubs, for as big a payroll as they have, sure do lose a lot. I believe they're six games behind the Bucs now. We're still within shouting distance of catching the Reds, and if there's a time to make our move, this week is it, with the Astros coming to town.

At the very least, let's hope the Astros don't sweep another series from us, for cryin' out loud. Of all teams.

My big concern is that for a young team, they're not really showing a lot of improvement. Maybe the grind of the season is getting to them. And it is murder to lose three members of the rotation bang-bang. Still...

And LOL about the Astros and Cubs; one going with a totally remade club filled with pups and another a bunch of old, rich, and fairly disinterested vets.

I'd like to see the guys get a lot cleaner in their play and not waste so many at-bats. After all, I figure everything but the outfield and second base are up for grabs next year for the position players, and that should be a heck of an incentive for September.

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